PEP’S OF IRON!
City rule restored as they leap above Reds
IT wasn’t quite like beating Real Madrid.
But coming out on top against a team wearing white in a bear pit of a stadium should stand Manchester City in good stead – given what comes next.
Pep Guardiola’s side will need to play better than this in the Bernabeu on Wednesday night if they are to progress to another Champions League final.
Goals from Rodri, Nathan Ake, Gabriel Jesus and Fernandinho sent the reigning champions back above Liverpool to the top of the Premier League.
And if City win their final four games they will retain the title.
But they will be counting bruises after a hugely physical effort from Jesse Marsch’s side.
Leeds are back in the relegation dogfight, and having played two games more than third-bottom Everton.
They hounded the men from Manchester even when the game was gone. Yet despite some promising moments, their only efforts on target came in the final minutes when Dan James saw an attempt blocked on the line by Joao Cancelo and Joe Gelradt’s shot was saved by Ederson.
City’s class told at a febrile Elland Road told in the end.
When the champions demolished Leeds 7-0 in December, they were in the middle of a 12-game winning streak that put them on their own at the top.
And Marcelo Bielsa was on the slippery slope leading to the Job Centre.
But Liverpool’s lunchtime victory at Newcastle had taken Jurgen Klopp’s side two points clear – and City had to respond.
Leeds’ need for points was just as desperate after Burnley’s victory at Watford had lifted the Clarets above them.
With the trip to Madrid looming, Guardiola opted to put Kevin De Bruyne, Riyad Mahrez, Bernardo Silva and Oleks
Zinchenko on the bench. Marsch had to reshuffle before a ball had been kicked after skipper Liam Cooper was injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Mateusz Klich.
By the end of the half, they were a goal behind and had lost Stuart Dallas to a knee injury in a sickening collision with Jack Grealish just before break.
The way Dallas hunted Grealish down throughout the first period showed Leeds’ approach. It wasn’t always fair – the challenge that ended Dallas’ night was his fifth foul – but it worked.
Leeds had an early chance when Joao Cancelo’s slip allowed Rodrigo to race clear... but the Spaniard couldn’t find the acceleration to shake off Ilkay Gundogan and the chance went.
Then Dallas sent Raheem Sterling spiralling in the 13th minute – and the visitors exacted full retribution.
Phil Foden’s delicate free-kick found Rodri drifting off the shoulder of Kalvin Phillips and his deftly glanced header made it 1-0.
Foden was involved in City’s first three goals before Guardiola took him off.
But Leeds refused to go away. Aymeric Laporte’s bravery prevented Rodrigo getting his head on Raphina’s cross – and both players needed treatment.
Junior Firpo fired another half chance over as Leeds continued to cause their visitors problems.
After the break, Sterling broke at pace and Jack Grealish placed a strike wide before City stretched their lead in the 54th minute as Ruben Dias rose at the far post to head down Foden’s corner.
Ake shot home from close range for
3-0 and Fernandinho capped it late on.